The acquisition of Spanish sheet metal manufacturer Galvacor, US Steel's plans to build a new DRI plant in Big River Steel, and South Korea's new anti-dumping duties are all reflected in the MEPs' latest report on global steelmaking capacity.
The European Parliament's monthly report on developments in the steel industry from around the world contains articles that were previously published in the November issues of the European Steel Review, International Steel Review and Stainless Steel Review
Europe
Galvacolor
The acquisition of Galvacolor by Brazilian steel producer CSN has been approved by Spain's National Commission for Markets and Competition (CNMC).
The sheet metal processing plant in Jerez de los Caballeros, in southwestern Spain, has been owned by CL Grupo Industrial since 2020 and has been rebuilt after several years of inactivity with an initial investment of 20 million euros.
Galvacolor's annual production capacity is up to 400,000 tons per year, including 100,000 tons per year of pickled and oiled coils, 100,000 tons per year of cold-rolled coils, and 200,000 tons per year of galvanized rolled products. Pre-painted steel is also produced here.
Celsa France
Celsa France has completed the modernization of its wire rod manufacturing plant in Bayonne.
The work included the installation of a new finishing unit with 10 racks and a winding station with a diameter of 1200 mm, which replaced the equipment currently in operation at the facility.
The new equipment will increase the mill's productivity due to a stable rolling speed of up to 105 meters per second, which will allow processing materials with low, medium and high carbon content.
Industrieel
Industrieel, a Belgian company affiliated with ArcelorMittal, has commissioned SMS group to modernize the walking beam furnace at its thick-sheet plant in Charleroi.
The upgrade includes a complete replacement of the furnace lining, as well as the installation of new burners, control systems and a heat recovery unit. After completion, the upgraded furnace, originally built in 1969, will be able to run on natural gas with up to 70% hydrogen added, which will significantly reduce emissions into the atmosphere.
The dismantling of the existing furnace and the installation of new equipment will be carried out during a six-week break in the summer of 2026.
North America
Big River Steel
US Steel has announced plans to build a new direct reduction cast iron (DRI) plant at its subsidiary Big River Steel in Osceola, Arkansas.
The construction of the facility, which will strengthen the supply chain of raw materials for electric arc furnaces, will be completed in 2027, according to state applications.
At the DRI factory in Big
